kelliwags's review against another edition
5.0
“My experiences make me neither better nor worse, just slightly more adrift, straddling chaos and misery in one hand, peace and privilege on the other.”
One of my favorite descriptions of the feelings that linger after aid work.
One of my favorite descriptions of the feelings that linger after aid work.
paigedavisss's review against another edition
5.0
I even read the acknowledgements. I never read acknowledgements. I had to read this book for a class, so I was definitely skeptical. But, I inhaled it. Alexander does an incredible job tying in personal aspects of her life that keep her story alive while also writing in true accounts of what life in failed states looks like after war, during war, after a natural disaster, etc. I truly was in awe of the passion and will to survive in a job like hers. The whole time I asked myself, “could I do that?” I’m also really happy she included perspectives from average Americans who look at aid as a vacation or for advertisement. Such a beautiful storyline from the way it was written to the elements included. I loved it all!
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
This review can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com or Amazon.com as part of the Vine program.
kat_r3ads's review against another edition
5.0
Would recommend for anyone working in development! Makes you feel a little less crazy...
tbauman's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book - it was fun to read another book about how difficult working in international aid is. I was also actually pretty encouraged by this book. Aid organizations, for all their inefficiencies, do appear to be moving towards more evidence-based models. However, I'm definitely going to stay home and donate rather than going into the field.
serberr's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who strongly contemplated a career in humanitarian work, I really enjoyed the candor and heart in this well written memoir. The most powerful chapter came near the end when Alexander finally shared her mother's story. This was a bit unexpected but a beautiful glimpse into her background and family life which she previously seemed to be purposefully glossing over. I'm sure it was a difficult story to tell, but it was very key to revealing more about who the author was as a person.
It was a bit disheartening to think of all the NGOs out there competing against each other to the point where they are providing extraneous aid in one area and gaping holes in another. This book reiterated what I had heard before but not fully processed: that short term trips full of unskilled labor do very little good in the long run, and that despite their short comings it is the big NGOs and UN agencies that are able to do the most good in the worst of situations. I am really eager to see how the humanitarian world progresses in the coming years--as the author said, our technological age is rapidly changing how humanitarian aid is viewed and assessed.
It was a bit disheartening to think of all the NGOs out there competing against each other to the point where they are providing extraneous aid in one area and gaping holes in another. This book reiterated what I had heard before but not fully processed: that short term trips full of unskilled labor do very little good in the long run, and that despite their short comings it is the big NGOs and UN agencies that are able to do the most good in the worst of situations. I am really eager to see how the humanitarian world progresses in the coming years--as the author said, our technological age is rapidly changing how humanitarian aid is viewed and assessed.
lizzard2018's review against another edition
4.0
Honest and compelling. A must read if you are interested in global affairs.
kristinelim's review against another edition
5.0
really enjoyed this book. read it for a university course and its one of the best books ive read within school and outside of school. shows a personal experience of humanitarian aid along with navigating relationships, hardships, culture shock, what it means to have a home, and more!! it was also really eye opening. in my program (and in the world, i think) we sort of idolize humanitarian workers and dont stop to think about their hardships and mental health, or maybe dont even focus on the populations that they aid. it was also helpful to realize that life isnt linear and careers can spring from places that you never thought!! :)